Best Central Asia Tour 18-Days

Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan

OVerview Itinerary Price Tour Details

Overview:

Welcome to Central Asia! We offer you the best planned Central Asia expedition covering the main attractions of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. This is truly one of the great expeditions on the footsteps of the Silk Road. During the expedition, you will visit a range of historical heritage, ancient cities, stunning nature, alpine lakes, traditional villages, big cities and experience the cultures of the locals. The expeditions are also designed to meet local communities, families, bazaars and experience their traditions and cultures. Enjoy traditional foods and drinks!

This is an all-inclusive expedition where everything is taken care of in advance. All hotels, transport, attractions, permits and fees, food and drink and activities are planned with experienced local guides. All you have to do is enjoy your trip.

Uzbekistan is full of historical sites, natural landscapes, and cultural experiences whether you’re interested in exploring ancient cities, visiting museums, or immersing yourself in the local culture..

Kyrgyzstan has many stunning tourist attractions that showcase the country’s natural beauty and cultural heritage. Here you can experience the unspoilt nature of the nomads and stay in a traditional yurt surrounded by magnificent scenery.

Kazakhstan’s Almaty region offers stunning snow-capped Alatau Mountains, pure Mountains Lakes and the great Charyn Canyon, where you can go hiking and enjoy the wilderness.

There are many Central Asia tours designed to visit 4-5 countries in 12-15 days. But you have to understand that these tours are too short and overcrowded. In this option you will miss many must-see places and this is very sad.

So the best reason we created this expedition is that in 18 days you get to see the best of three countries, staying 6 days in each country and visiting the main attractions. There are many hidden gems to be discovered when you travel these countries with our team. A once in a lifetime experience guaranteed!

Itinerary:

Welcome to Tashkent. Our expedition team will meet you at Tashkent International Airport. You will be transferred to your hotel. Tashkent is one of the largest cities in Central Asia with rich historical sites. We take you for a short city tour of Tashkent which includes visiting the central square Amir Timur Maydoni and visiting Chorsu Bazaar. Welcome dinner at the restaurant. Enjoy the best traditional dishes of Uzbekistan.

Today we take an early flight to the city of Urgench. A short drive takes us to the ancient city of Khiva. Enjoy a walk around the ancient walled city of Khiva. Explore the fascinating Ichan Kala, also known as the inner city, with its mosques, oriental palaces and traditional houses. Visit Juma Mosque and Kalta Minor Minaret.

Today we have a long drive to the well-preserved old town of Bukhara, a history buff’s paradise. The route takes us through the famous red desert of Kyzyl Kum.

Enjoy your full day expedition to the historic heritage sites such as the Ark Citadel, a former residence of the Emirs of Bukhara. Explore the stunning madrassas and mosques such as the Kalan Mosque, Ismael Samani Mauseloum which dates from the 10th century. Visit the handicraft bazaar and enjoy a traditional local meal

After spending the morning in Bukhara, we depart for Samarkand. On the way, visit the famous Gijduvan village and explore the history of Uzbek pottery culture. Arrive in Samarkand in the evening and check into a local hotel.

Smarkand is truly one of the most iconic landmarks in Uzbekistan, Registan Square is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to three stunning madrasahs – Madrasah Ulugbek (15th century), Madrasah Sherdor (17th century) and Madrasah Tilla-Kori (17th century). It is a must see for its dramatic architecture and historical significance. You can also enjoy many other historical monuments such as Shakhi-Zindeh architectural complex, Guri Emir Mausoleum – Tamerlane’s tomb, Bibi Khanum Mosque built in honour of Tamerlane’s wife.

Drive to Tashkent. On the way you will have the opportunity to visit local families in small villages and learn about their culture and traditions. Enjoy the hospitality of the local people. Arrive in Tashkent in the evening and overnight in a hotel.

Fly between capitals. You will be met by our Kyrgyz team on arrival at Manas International Airport in Bishkek. Check into your city centre hotel and relax. In the afternoon, enjoy one of Bishkek’s main attractions – Archa National Park. Take a hike and enjoy the panoramic views of the Tien Sian mountain range. The park is about an hour’s drive from Bishkek. Enjoy a traditional Kyrgyz meal in the evening.

Son Kul is one of the most beautiful lakes, situated at an altitude of 3100 metres and surrounded by the Tien Shan mountains. On the way we will explore the historical heritage of the Burana Tower which was built in the 11th century. Enjoy an open air museum of Balbals. Take a way to Son Kul Lake via the famous 33 Parrots Pass. Today you have the opportunity to stay in a traditional Kyrgyz yurt.

Canyon features stunning red sandstone cliffs shaped like bulls. There is also a village and a spa with several pools and treatment rooms. This is one of the best attractions in Khyrgyzstan, also known as the Seven Bulls. In the village of Khoskor you can meet a traditional eagle hunter and see how the golden eagle is trained. Please feel free to take an unforgettable picture.

Today we drive to Issyk Kul, the second largest alpine lake in the world after Lake Titicaca in South America. It is 182 km long, 60 km wide and lies at an altitude of 1608 metres. Issyk Kul means ‘warm lake’ and is heated from below by active volcanoes. The lake never freezes and is considered sacred by the locals. Arrive in the beautiful town of Karakol and visit local attractions such as ancient petroglyphs and a Dungan mosque. Stay overnight in a local guesthouse.

Enjoy a great trip to the Chon Kemin Gorge. This valley is known for its outstanding natural beauty, offering a variety of flora, fauna and landscapes. It’s an ideal destination for hiking, horse riding and exploring ancient burial mounds. On arrival at Chon Kemin you will have the opportunity to stay in a traditional Kyrgyz yurt with stunning views. Take a short horse ride in the area and enjoy the panoramic views from the mountainside.

Today it will be a long drive to Almaty and the border crossing will take a couple of hours. In the evening we will arrive in Almaty city. This is the largest and most popular city in Kazakhstan. On arrival in Almaty you will be transferred to your hotel.

Today we take you on a day tour of Almaty, including visits to the Medeu Ice Rink, Shymbulake Ski Resort and Koktobe Hill. Almaty is the cultural centre of Kazakhstan and was the capital until 1997. The city lies at the foot of the Alatau Mountains and is rich in beautiful attractions. Enjoy a traditional meal!

Charyn Canyon stretches over 150 km and consists of 5 main canyons such as Red Canyon, Yellow Canyon, Temerlik Canyon, Bestamak Canyon and Castle Valley. Today we will visit Temerlik Canyon and Bestamak Canyon. Enjoy the great views of the canyon and take a hike. In the evening drive to the traditional village of Saty.

The Kolsai Lakes are a system of three lakes with stunning natural surroundings. The lakes are famous as “The Pearl of Tien Shan Mountain”. Today we will trek from Lower Kolsai to Middle Kolsai. The whole trek takes about 6 hours and this is a full day to enjoy the beautiful nature. Back to Saty Village.

The first attraction is the famous Kaindly Lake with its mysterious views. The lake was formed as a result of an earthquake in 1911, which measured 8.0 on the Richter scale and was recorded as the most powerful earthquake in the region. You will walk into the valley.

Enjoy your walk. In the afternoon we continue to the Valley of Castles, the most breathtaking part of the Charyn Canyon. In the evening we return to Almaty.

Farewell dinner at the restaurant!

We will take you to Almaty International Airport.

It has been our pleasure to bring you such a great trip!

Thank you for coming! We hope to see you again!

Best Central Asia Tour

Duration: 18-Days
Availability: Four seasons
Best time: April-November
Begin and end: Tashkent / Almaty
Tour type: Multi-Country tour
Price from: 3550 USD p.p

Our highlights

Capital cities Tashkent, Bishkek
Ancient cities Khiva, Khochkar, Bukhara, Samarkand
Visit local Bazaars
Beautiful lakes: Issyk Kul, Son Kul, Kainy, Kolsai
Charyn Canyon National Park
Jeti Oguz Gorge, Chon Kemin Gorge
Horseback trekking
Hiking
Stay at traditional yurt
Many other hidden gems

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Tour Price Includes

Fly ticket Tashkent-Biskek
Land Transportation
English speaking guide
Local Driver
Accommodation
Eat & Drink
Fees & Permits
Activities

Tour price excludes

Personal needs
Alcoholic beverages
Gratitude

Tour details:

Please pack all necessary things that you think might be needed. Here are some tips: day pack, sunglasses, anti-mosquito, sunscreen, waterproof jacket, hand sanitizer, toiletries, power bank, camera, headlamp, hat, hiking shoes, warm jacket, sandals, and personal medicine. And please have some cash in case you want to go shopping or buy souvenirs.

Most attractions have their own toilet facilities. If you are driving between attractions or hiking in the wilderness, it may be an outdoor toilet, but generally there is no problem with toilets. Most hotels and guesthouses have showers. Laundry can be done with the help of the hotel staff.

Anyone who loves cultural tours, beautiful nature, historical sites and adventure is welcome to book this trip. This is one of the best planned expeditions with so many gems that everyone will find something for themselves.

Please do not hurt the feelings of the locals and respect their traditions. When visiting the mausoleum, mosque and other local sacred sites, please dress promptly. Please get ready for the trip at the scheduled time. And if there is any inconvenience, please inform your guide first. Generally, there are not many inconveniences on this trip, but let’s remember that we are travelling and try to enjoy the moment! The group atmosphere is important and as an experienced team we try to make the tour as enjoyable as possible and ask you to help us.

We are responsible for visiting the places and seeing the attractions that we have mentioned in our itinerary. We are responsible for guiding you with pleasure and giving you a great expediton.

We are not responsible for any unplanned inconvenience during the tour. We are not responsible for the traffic in the city and finally we are not responsible for the bad weather conditions that you have to be prepared for in advance.

– We ask that you book your trip as soon as possible. To ensure everything runs smoothly, bookings must be made at least two months in advance.

– If any of the attractions are not open, we will replace them with other highlights that are no less exciting.

– The tour is flexible and we can create your own personal expedition based on your wishes.

We will be visiting many places and will always be on the move, there will be several transfers and flights between Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan and it would be appreciated if you could bring very well packed luggage and probably duffel bags rather than suitcases.

We will be visiting many bazaars and public places, so please take care of your belongings and be careful with your money and documents.

It is perfectly fine to take a day or two off during the trip to just relax. If you are in your 40s or 50s, we will probably have a day off to rest. It is cool to visit a new attraction every day, but you do get tired sometimes.

This tour is available all year round. The best time is from the end of March to November. During this period the weather is warm and in the middle of summer it gets very hot. However, in some mountainous areas you may feel cold due to the altitude and we ask you to pack a warm jacket in this case. Please check the weather forecast before you travel.

To confirm your trip we ask you to pay 600 USD DEPOSIT and the balance can be paid 2 months before the tour start date. We ask you to make your payment by bank transfer (SWIFT CODE)

Here is our cancellation policy that we recommend our clients follow.

Cancelling the tour within more than 2 months, 50% of your deposit payment will be rebussed (300 USD)

Cancellation within less than 1 month, the deposit will not be refunded (600 USD)

All accommodation is based on local standards and during the expedition you will stay in a variety of types of accommodation, ranging from a 4-star hotel in the centre of the capital to guesthouses in small villages. You will also have the opportunity to experience traditional yurts and lodges. We choose only the best options.

The expeditions cover three countries and you will have the opportunity to sample the most delicious dishes of Central Asia. There are many to choose from and we guarantee you will find your favourite. If you prefer to eat vegetarian or vegan, that is absolutely fine. Most restaurants have their own vegetarian and vegan dishes. On some days we may take our lunches in lunch boxes and eat them in the middle of nowhere, as this happens when we drive from one attraction to another and there is no place to eat on the way. And it will be an extra experience. We will have plenty of fresh bottled water and you can always ask for a snake. And please do not bring any stomach medicine with you, it very rarely happens that our clients have stomach problems when they try the local food.

You will be supported by the tour leader, who will be with you throughout the expedition, and local guides in each country. Each country has it’s own experienced local driver who will take us safely and smoothly. We will also visit several families in each country and enjoy their hospitality. And you can make new friends. Central Asian countries are very friendly and usually take good care of their guests.